I know many purists would likely tell you you should go with solid hardwood. While I love solid hardwood for flooring, I am an engineered hardwood kind of gal for several reasons. The greatest reason is that while it may test the strength of your marriage until you get into a rhythm, it is fairly simple to install yourself and looks beautiful. Whether you are not at all convinced or ready to go all in, it is important to take a minute to ensure you know what you are getting into before you make a decision. In this post, we are sharing the pros and cons of engineered hardwood, hoping to make one decision a little easier for you. 

 

What is Engineered Hardwood?

Engineered hardwood is made of a thin top layer of hardwood glued to several layers of plywood or OSB. Most commonly used as flooring, it can also be used for exposed beams and even furniture. The quality of the engineered hardwood flooring is based on how many core layers it contains and how thick the veneer or hardwood layer on top is. The more layers and the thicker the veneer, the better quality the engineered wood.

Engineered hardwood is a common material in many homes thanks to its widespread availability, affordability, durability, and ease of use. But like any product, there are both pros and cons to using it. Read on to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of engineered hardwood.

Engineered Hardwood: Pros

Cost

Engineered hardwood gives you the look of solid wood floors but for less money. It is actually less expensive both in terms of materials and labor. While a lot depends on the type of engineered hardwood you choose and its quality, you can expect to pay an average of $6 to $21 per square foot installed. For hardwood, the average cost is $11 to $25 installed, according to Forbes.

Of course, the cost of engineered flooring goes down dramatically if you install it yourself, which is totally possible! We did the installation in our last home, and it turned out really well. If you are looking for a recommendation, I am a huge fan of ADM Flooring products. We used Padua in our last home and are installing Parma in our current home.

Installation

Engineered hardwood really is not as challenging to install as you might think. There are a few different installation methods from which to choose, and they are easier to install than solid hardwood. As with most renovation projects, with the right tools, a positive attitude, a little trial and error, and your therapist on standby, you will undoubtedly be successful.

Refinishing

Here’s some excellent news: you can refinish engineered hardwood flooring. Depending on the thickness of the veneer (the top layer), you can carefully sand it down and refinish it–sometimes more than once! You should sand and refinish engineered hardwood floors only if the veneer is 3mm or more thick. But as long as that is the case for you, you can get a whole new look for your floors with a little patience and some elbow grease. 

Durability

Engineered hardwood floors are less prone to swelling and buckling than regular hardwood floors. This is because they are less sensitive to temperature and moisture. Where traditional wood swells and shrinks, engineered hardwood manufacturing makes it more able to withstand fluctuations. Engineered hardwood is made to last, and with care and maintenance, it can remain looking lovely for thirty years. 

Another benefit of engineered hardwood’s resistance to moisture and temperature is that it can be used with radiant underfloor heating systems, which means it not only looks warm and inviting, it actually is!

A Green Option

Believe it or not, engineered hardwood is actually considered more “green” than traditional hardwood. This is because fewer hardwood trees are needed to floor the same amount of space due to the thinner hardwood veneer on each piece. Since hardwood trees are slow-growing, this is definitely a benefit. It’s an eco-friendly and sustainable option for your home.

Stylish and Available

Wood consistently ranks among the most desired types of flooring. It is timeless and goes with any style. There is also a slew of different types of wood from which to choose! If you go with engineered hardwood, it is often easier to source the less common types of wood you may want to show off in your home, and it will certainly be less expensive to use them. 

Oak flooring remains the most popular in terms of both engineered and traditional hardwood flooring. But other great options include Brazilian cherry, teak, hickory, birch, and maple. 

Adds Value

Any wood flooring will add value to your home, and engineered wood is no different. If you are considering selling your home anytime in the future, or if you want to invest in it and make it worth more, installing engineered hardwood is a wise choice. 

Engineered Hardwood: Cons

Refinishing Concerns

While you can refinish your engineered hardwood floors, you can’t necessarily do it multiple times. Refinishing requires sanding, and after too many times of sanding engineered hardwood floors, you will eventually wear through the veneer and into the plywood below. This is not usually a problem the first time you refinish your floors, but it might be an issue after that. Hardwood floors, however, can be sanded and refinished many times without any problems.

Quality Control

Not all engineered hardwood is created equal. It’s important to make sure your flooring is high-quality and well-made. Make sure you do your research on any manufacturers you’re considering. Flooring is a huge purchase, and you don’t want to be dissatisfied with the results. 

Not Maintenance-Free

Like traditional hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood requires maintenance to keep it looking its best. With rough usage, scratches and dents are possible. To keep it looking great, sweep it often and mop it with a damp mop. Avoid harsh chemicals, and make sure to clean up spills right away. 

Fading

Like traditional hardwood flooring, engineered hardwood can fade when exposed to direct sunlight. The sun’s UV rays break down the wood’s chemicals, causing it to fade. You can reduce this by coating your floors with UV-protectant seals, using rugs and curtains to block some of the sunlight, and choosing lighter-colored woods so that fading is less obvious.

 

Summary

Now you know the pros and cons of engineered hardwood flooring. Known for their durability and beauty, hardwood floors are the perfect choice for many homes. But if you’re looking for the appearance of hardwood floors without the high price tag, installing engineered hardwood might be the right decision for you. Engineered hardwood floors are a great option for most homes and definitely worth considering.

While they do have some drawbacks, in many cases, they will give you the look you want for a fraction of the cost, often with more durability and sustainability than traditional wood floors. With so many options to choose from and the possibility of gentle refinishing, the sky is the limit in terms of style. Consider giving engineered hardwood floors a try. You just might love them in your home!